The Sunday Age's state political editor.

MINISTERIAL staff working for Premier Ted Baillieu face the sack if caught posting personal commentary about the government on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Staff are also banned from accepting gifts over $150, must not boss around bureaucrats, and are required to take lessons in public sector management as part of their job.

The rules are among dozens in a code of conduct created by Mr Baillieu and his private office, but never released publicly. But the Premier has reneged on an earlier promise to also create a new code for MPs, which could have been problematic, given the car rorting of Frankston backbencher Geoff Shaw.

The rules are among dozens in a code of conduct created by Ted Baillieu and his private office. Photo: Paul Rovere

Instead, the Coalition is relying on the same guidelines successive governments have used in the past - the Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act - although this also urges members not ''to bring discredit'' on the Parliament.

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''Working closely with ministers who have responsibility for the most important decisions of government is a privilege that carries with it an obligation to act with integrity,'' says the Code of Conduct for Ministerial Staff, obtained by Fairfax Media.

''Other than in the course of their professional duties, ministerial staff must not post personal online commentary or publish books or articles expressing personal views which relate to either the minister's portfolio area or the general work of the Victorian government.''

The guidelines state that anyone who breaches the rules faces discliplinary action, ''including termination of employment''.

But critics say it is draconian, reminiscent of the so-called ''gags'' of the Kennett government.

Community and Public Sector Union chief Karen Batt said she would be worried if people could lose their jobs simply because they made a general comment - even if not contentious - relating to government business. ''You wouldn't want it to be as black or white as that,'' she said.

The opposition's scrutiny-of-government spokesman, Martin Pakula, agreed. ''You don't want your staff absolutely freelancing, but people should be able to rely on their discretion and their judgment,'' he said.

''Rules like this are doomed to failure. It misunderstands where the world is heading, and misunderstands the nature of social media.''

Before becoming premier, Mr Baillieu was a semi-regular user of Twitter, but has only tweeted four times since winning office. His last tweet was on February 2 last year, when he sent best wishes to those affected by the Queensland cyclone.

A few Coalition MPs still use social media (the rules apply to their staff only) but The Sunday Age believes some within government ranks are weary of the medium, believing it could be risky, particularly for a party with a one-seat majority.

The code also states: staff must not hold office in local government, and must take leave if they nominate for council, or try to be elected in state or federal politics; must not solicit hospitality or travel upgrades; should ''acknowledge they do not have the power to direct Victorian Public Service employees in their own right; must hand over gifts worth more than $150 to their ministers, who must in turn declare them to Parliament; will be required to attend regular courses in public sector management.

The code of conduct for ministerial staff was produced last year, along with a code of conduct for ministerial fund-raising, and guidelines for ministerial overseas travel.

Government spokesman Paul Price said the Coalition's integrity reforms ''puts to shame the former Labor government's pathetic record''.